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Top Bars For Black Wednesday In Philadelphia

Black Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving, brings everyone home and out to mix and mingle before stuffing themselves silly with turkey. Philadelphia-area bars, restaurants and clubs look forward to the biggest drinking night of the year as patrons reunite with their friends and family. These are the top five places to kick back before your day of gluttony begins.
Bourbon Blue
2 Rector St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 508-3360
www.bourbonblue.com

Price: free

Touted as American cuisine with New Orleans flair, this restaurant and bar offers a classy twist on cocktail culture. With the unique and ornate architecture of the building and the outdoor deck overlooking the Manayunk Tow Path, it boasts a warm and cozy ambiance akin to curling up next to a roaring fire. Begin your relaxing vacation early at this charming oasis.

Related: Which Thanksgiving Food Is Your Favorite

Kung Fu Necktie
1250 N. Front St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 291-4919
kungfunecktie.com

Price: $5 to $10 cover

If you thought "Weird Science" was a little too out there for an '80s cult classic, perhaps you would be into something more mainstream. Popular Science with Grimace Federation and Sonkin are the musical attractions at this trendy music venue and bar. With a full bar and great local and national microbrews on tap, you will also find something tasty that compliments that hearty meal the following day. Satisfy your musical tastes as you enjoy craft beers right here in Philly.

The Grape Room
105 Grape St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 930-0321
graperoommusic.com

Price: $5 to $10 cover

The old Grape is back! Let's clarify this first … the old Grape Room used to be on Grape Street in Manayunk. Then it moved to the large building where Main Street meets Shurs Lane, which is now Mad River. Then Scooter took over and brought it back to its original location on Grape Street. If you don';t know who Scooter is, he is the Philadelphia music scene's six-degrees of Kevin Bacon theory. Promoting live, local musicians and offering a platform for growing artists, this man is keeping cover bands minimal and the drinks flowing.

Related: Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes

The Barbary
951 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
(215) 634-7400
www.facebook.com/thebarbary

Price: $5 to $10 cover

If you want to get your groove on and get your pre-pig out workout in the night before, this is the place to go. You can squeeze 200 sweaty hipsters into this Northern Liberties hot spot. With a banging new sound system and fancy lights, this is the place to drink, sweat, rinse and repeat. Promising infamous DJ parties, beats here will keep banging straight into your dreams.

Barcade
1114 Frankford Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215) 634-4400
www.barcadephiladelphia.com

Price: free

If you want to transport yourself back in time and play Super Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, Frogger and Tetris all while drinking a delicious brew selection of 24 on tap, by all means come here. With a hearty supply of old-school games, bike racks galore out front and a mini smoking section out back, you can pretend you are back in your parents basement bar once again and relive the glory days -- at original prices (a quarter a play!). The dimly lit, rock 'n' roll-music-blaring atmosphere just adds to the vibe.

Cassie Hepler is a freelance writer covering all things Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
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